obsequious

PRONUNCIATION:

(ob-SEE-kwee-uhs, uhb-)

MEANING:

adjective: Behaving in an ingratiating or servile manner.

ETYMOLOGY:

Earlier the word meant obedient or dutiful, with no connotations of fawning.
Over time it has taken a negative turn. From Latin obsequiosus (compliant),
from obsequi (to comply), from ob- (to) + sequi (follow), which also gave us
obsequy. Earliest documented use:
1447.